Fractures What is a fracture? A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. open fracture ( compound fracture.) - bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin. closed fracture (simple fracture.) - bone is broken, but the skin is intact.
Classification of Fractures greenstick - incomplete fracture. The broken bone is not completely separated.
transverse - the break is in a straight line across the bone
spiral - the break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.
oblique - diagonal break across the bone.
comminuted - the break is in three or more pieces.
fissure- incomplete longitudinal break